General Discussion

politicat

(9,810 posts)

107. Actually, no.

Sat Oct 12, 2013, 03:20 AM

Oct 2013

Lab grade nicotine is made from tomato and eggplant leaves. Apparently, it's cheaper to distill nicotine from non-tobacco nicotinoids because they have fewer close-compounds to refine out. (Also, tomato/eggplant leaves have almost no market, so cheap compared to tobacco.)

The last time we ran the geek bench bets (these devices are an adjunct to my research, so we do little experiments whenever we're bored, quibbling, or between funding) Ecig users were blowing 35-60ppm on a saliva cotinine test, while regular smokers blew 250-400. Non-smokers/vapers blow 8-15 (depending on diet, second-hand). People who live with or work in a place that exposes them to second hand for extended periods run 35-60, so slightly elevated, but clearly not smokers. (Cotinine is the long-life metabolite of nicotine, and cotinine tests are much more accurate than a nicotine blood test.)

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

153 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

How will they verify your smoking status? [View all] B2G Oct 2013 OP

I uploaded a picture, and they said I was definitely smokin' jberryhill Oct 2013 #1

If you're smokin' you're doing it too fast Fumesucker Oct 2013 #3

Lol. It's actually a serious question though. B2G Oct 2013 #4

They'll ask you. bobclark86 Oct 2013 #9

Cool. That's what I was hoping. nt B2G Oct 2013 #12

You were hoping to commit a felony? jberryhill Oct 2013 #101

E-cigarettes aren't tobacco. B2G Oct 2013 #126

That's not the issue jberryhill Oct 2013 #128

You might want to look into how they define it jberryhill Oct 2013 #16

Good for you! B2G Oct 2013 #21

I'm on my first round of e-cigs... SomethingFishy Oct 2013 #27

quitting was the hardest thing I've ever done. a kennedy Oct 2013 #114

I agree it was the hardest thing I ever did ThomThom Oct 2013 #122

good for you and your wife.....and I can't imagine the $$$ we've saved. a kennedy Oct 2013 #127

since my husband quit a few years ago it is amazing how much money ejpoeta Oct 2013 #151

Congrats on that! Ruby the Liberal Oct 2013 #47

Right, but if you recently stopped smoking... jberryhill Oct 2013 #58

If you know, how are they defining "recently"? Ruby the Liberal Oct 2013 #123

You're gonna love the answer jberryhill Oct 2013 #129

Shocking. Ruby the Liberal Oct 2013 #137

But before I forget jberryhill Oct 2013 #139

Link? Ruby the Liberal Oct 2013 #148

e-cigs have kept me from smoking for almost 2 years arely staircase Oct 2013 #131

They don't ask if you are a nicotine user Ruby the Liberal Oct 2013 #44

That's not the issue jberryhill Oct 2013 #130

Apparently, it depends on the state. Ruby the Liberal Oct 2013 #138

You look rather suave in your smoking jacket, too: kentauros Oct 2013 #93

When they run your blood alcohol tests leftstreet Oct 2013 #2

that's what the Total Information Awareness program at NSA was set up for Pretzel_Warrior Oct 2013 #5

You beat me to it. bunnies Oct 2013 #8

You told! displacedtexan Oct 2013 #52

Thank you for that helpful tip! Yo_Mama Oct 2013 #63

Actually, I was getting a work drug pre-screen a couple of weeks ago. dballance Oct 2013 #6

It can actually be detected by smell in the urine, though I'm sure they do a chem test instead Hekate Oct 2013 #59

As a non-smoker, it's Usually easy for me to tell who smokes. dballance Oct 2013 #109

Exactly -- you're just using you're nose another way. I'm also a non-smoker. Hekate Oct 2013 #110

Well sure but I don't imagine that would fly for an insurance company's legal challenge. DireStrike Oct 2013 #120

Well of course you are correct dballance Oct 2013 #124

I've never had to verify it to health insurance companies Happyhippychick Oct 2013 #7

Same here, never had a problem! B Calm Oct 2013 #10

Excellent. Thanks! B2G Oct 2013 #14

Yea but health insurers Sgent Oct 2013 #100

They can only enforce that by the breach treestar Oct 2013 #11

Most doctors ask if you smoke. Mariana Oct 2013 #98

Asking if anyone has got a light might be a giveaway. dipsydoodle Oct 2013 #13

For a joint? Buddha_of_Wisdom Oct 2013 #15

People seriously believe that there won't be verification? solarhydrocan Oct 2013 #17

Actually the insurance company will benefit much more by not screening in advance. DebJ Oct 2013 #23

^^^ THIS ^^^^ Junkdrawer Oct 2013 #65

I want to bet. former9thward Oct 2013 #49

Well since I have no money because I've now got a new ~$300 bill... solarhydrocan Oct 2013 #61

Sorry, I only smoke cigars. former9thward Oct 2013 #68

Do they do it now? treestar Oct 2013 #132

By how badly you smell. randome Oct 2013 #18

Some life insurance is based on smoking status wercal Oct 2013 #19

probably test for nicotine at some point & adjust your rates. I read Sunlei Oct 2013 #20

But how would e-cigs and NRT figure in? B2G Oct 2013 #22

Nicotine is in e-cigs. n/t DebJ Oct 2013 #24

But I don't freakin smoke cigarettes B2G Oct 2013 #25

Well, nicotine will greatly increase your chance of heart attack, stroke, DebJ Oct 2013 #28

Myth B2G Oct 2013 #33

But do they mean it isn't an increase in risk compared to tobacco-procured nicotine? DebJ Oct 2013 #39

No, you're thinking of carbon monoxide cthulu2016 Oct 2013 #41

See here's the problem with smoking rates HockeyMom Oct 2013 #45

Like the weird hard spots on my back where I got burned years ago.... DebJ Oct 2013 #77

My mom was a lifelong smoker (along with everyone else in the family) forthemiddle Oct 2013 #113

This is my worst nightmare......smoked for a long, long time, quit for only 7 years, and I'm sure a kennedy Oct 2013 #115

I only quit two years ago forthemiddle Oct 2013 #136

Some polices ask if you have used tobacco in FIVE years SoCalDem Oct 2013 #117

It asks about tobacco use, not nicotine frazzled Oct 2013 #30

That might help me quit; the ecig. I tried patches DebJ Oct 2013 #32

It totally could frazzled Oct 2013 #36

Thanks. How does one buy an e-cig these days? DebJ Oct 2013 #42

That was years ago. Ruby the Liberal Oct 2013 #51

Thanks. N/T DebJ Oct 2013 #76

Go to Walgreens (if you have that) frazzled Oct 2013 #55

Thanks very much! n/t DebJ Oct 2013 #75

I've had great luck with this website Change has come Oct 2013 #90

From what I found looking into e-cigs bhikkhu Oct 2013 #106

You can buy them in many convenience stores now Revanchist Oct 2013 #119

That's how the e-cig worked for me, too. Mariana Oct 2013 #99

nicotine that's what they test for and that is what e cigs are. Lot of jobs forbid nicotine use. Sunlei Oct 2013 #29

I'd figure that they would ask, and then confirm from past medical records. Lancero Oct 2013 #26

My doctor has already tested me for nicotine (and illicit drugs) Holly_Hobby Oct 2013 #31

I don't believe this. They can't test for illicit drugs per the ACA B2G Oct 2013 #34

+100 I believe you solarhydrocan Oct 2013 #38

Too many people believe any rumor they see. former9thward Oct 2013 #54

It could be malpractice if a doctor didn't check for drugs pnwmom Oct 2013 #64

I see my doctor four times a year and get blood tests at least once a year. DebJ Oct 2013 #79

Neither do I. But if a doctor had reasons for suspecting it, pnwmom Oct 2013 #88

Certainly. But it's not a standard test everyone type of thing. n/t DebJ Oct 2013 #89

Right. n/t pnwmom Oct 2013 #92

You can be tested without your consent only if you arrive in the ER unresponsive... ScreamingMeemie Oct 2013 #141

Doctors frequently say they're going to do a blood draw pnwmom Oct 2013 #144

You can sue them and win if they run a tox screen without your consent. ScreamingMeemie Oct 2013 #145

Where does it say that? This link is about trauma patients pnwmom Oct 2013 #146

Possibly you should check up on what else your doc may be misinforming you about.... Hekate Oct 2013 #72

Your doctor is either an idiot, or a bald-faced liar. Th1onein Oct 2013 #85

Of course, docs make money when they order tests Mariana Oct 2013 #147

I wouldn't have a doctor who lied to me to get me to do something to make them more money. Th1onein Oct 2013 #150

I guess enough people don't realize the doctors are lying Mariana Oct 2013 #153

Sounds like you need a new doctor... a better one who's not a paranoid uninformed freak SoCalDem Oct 2013 #118

Your doctor is a liar. ScreamingMeemie Oct 2013 #140

A note on the ACA and smoking penalties. DebJ Oct 2013 #35

This still doesn't address NRT B2G Oct 2013 #43

Most people are honest with their docs.... moriah Oct 2013 #37

You assume people go to a doctor HockeyMom Oct 2013 #50

Those rules say "all tobacco products". Ecigs, the gum & patch made from tobacco? Sunlei Oct 2013 #74

Actually, no. politicat Oct 2013 #107

Interesting about tomato & eggplant leaves! Thank you for the info.,answers the questions. Sunlei Oct 2013 #116

The doctor can tell by looking at you BainsBane Oct 2013 #40

So your doctor will report you to your insurance company? What about HIPPA? B2G Oct 2013 #48

Oh, the insurance companies know how to get around that. Mariana Oct 2013 #102

HIPPA doesn't apply Sgent Oct 2013 #103

Here is what they will do... pipi_k Oct 2013 #46

Your lungs, yellow fingers, burned throat cilia, grey skin, give you away. Hoyt Oct 2013 #53

I am 74 and have been smoking since I was 16. RebelOne Oct 2013 #56

When I smoked 20+ years ago, I looked and felt like crud. Hoyt Oct 2013 #57

You have no idea how bad you look and smell alcibiades_mystery Oct 2013 #104

And this sucks for Tien1985 Oct 2013 #152

This whole thread makes me think of this: ScreamingMeemie Oct 2013 #60

If you have medical records it's in there. pnwmom Oct 2013 #62

They put you in a locked holding cell for four days and chain smoke outside of it with you watching. Zorra Oct 2013 #66

Lol B2G Oct 2013 #67

LOL that's cruel and inhuman torture. I'm gonna light up just reading it. n/t DebJ Oct 2013 #80

one wonders DustyJoe Oct 2013 #69

Make you run a 100 yard dash. The Midway Rebel Oct 2013 #70

"Smokers may get temporary break from Obamacare penalties" OhioChick Oct 2013 #71

Wow. what does that mean? B2G Oct 2013 #73

Sorry I missed out on that conversation. DebJ Oct 2013 #83

Smell test? we can do it Oct 2013 #78

Make you take 5 deep breaths if you choke half to death you doc03 Oct 2013 #81

There is a urine test for it jmowreader Oct 2013 #82

That's why I don't pee indoors anymore jberryhill Oct 2013 #95

Yup, and I had to take it. Frank Cannon Oct 2013 #111

It is my understanding that the law is specific about "tobacco use" Ruby the Liberal Oct 2013 #125

I'm only guessing, but if you say no, and sign the form at end that swears the info napi21 Oct 2013 #84

That's the key. In your worst hour of need you will be left with no care. Not a good bet at all. nt stevenleser Oct 2013 #121

It Won't Be Long RobinA Oct 2013 #86

Medical records... cynatnite Oct 2013 #87

Probably passive enforcement gopiscrap Oct 2013 #91

They have all your credit card records ... (use cash...) FarCenter Oct 2013 #94

NSA's on it. NuclearDem Oct 2013 #96

They won't. But if you smoke and lie and say that you don't, kestrel91316 Oct 2013 #97

Its the same as it was BEFORE the ACA. phleshdef Oct 2013 #105

Exactly! How can so many people replying to this thread not realize that??? (eom) beaglelover Oct 2013 #134

sniff test. nt Deep13 Oct 2013 #108

ha ha, they put you in a room and see how long before you start squirming..... a kennedy Oct 2013 #112

a cheek swab. Tuesday Afternoon Oct 2013 #133

It is not that difficult to understand..... beaglelover Oct 2013 #135

When I quit they ran a blood test for CO2 levels. Greybnk48 Oct 2013 #142

Presumably your doctor has a nose. LeftyMom Oct 2013 #143

Honesty madville Oct 2013 #149